Blackburn V Sheff Wed at Ewood Park : Match Preview

23 October 2012 06:01

No problems for Black
Blackburn boast an unchanged squad for the visit of Sheffield Wednesday as caretaker boss Eric Black searches for his first win in his fifth match in charge.
Black watched Derby snatch a late 1-1 draw on Saturday to continue his frustrations and he will now be hoping to finally get off the mark against an Owls side winless in nine games.
Rovers, who sustained no new injury problems or gathered any suspensions at the weekend, have added young full-back Raheem Hanley to their squad for the clash following some impressive performances for the club's Under-21 Development side.
Simon Vukcevic and Fabio Nunes continue to miss out with the respective groin and hamstring injuries picked up on international duty, while fellow midfielder Markus Olsson (hamstring) is likely to remain sidelined for around another week or so.
Striker Leon Best (knee) remains a long-term absentee.
Chris Kirkland is set to take to the pitch for the first time since he was attacked as Sheffield Wednesday travel across the Pennines.
The goalkeeper fell to the ground having been pushed in the face by a Leeds fan who ran on to the pitch after his side's equaliser in Friday night's 1-1 draw. After receiving treatment Kirkland was fit to continue for the remaining 10 or more minutes and is now poised to return to action at Ewood Park.
Former Everton goalkeeper Adam Davies will take his place on the bench having signed on a month-to-month contract with the Owls. His arrival comes with regular back-up stopper Stephen Bywater ruled out with pneumonia and Arron Jameson having suffered a recurrence of a groin strain.
Striker Jay Bothroyd, who scored the Owls' opener against Leeds, faces a fitness test having been struck down with illness.
Right-back Joe Mattock returns to the fold after missing the game with a virus which swept through the Wednesday squad, but Rhys McCabe has been ruled out with a thigh injury.
Reda Johnson (foot) and Chris Lines (groin) remain sidelined.